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26 September 2014

I spotted them from across the street immediately: the rainbow colored benchwarmers, in the middle of Queen Louises Bridge. Street art have become so scarce in Copenhagen, that I almost sing with joy when I come across it. So much love and effort goes into decorating the public space, and pieces like these brighten people’s day. These are signed This Is The Knit.

Hastværk er lastværk / Haste makes waste.

Hjem kære hjem / Home sweet home.

Ugly posters on a beautiful if slightly small and outdated garbage can. Ignore them if you can.

Not the best light that day, but living in a city that considers these gems vandalism, there was no guarantee it would survive the night, so I took my best shot. Good thing I did too because next day they were gone.

They had better not been removed by the city administration, that’s all I’m saying. People have a right to brighten the public space temporarily, in a non-invasive way, if that is not stated by law, it should be. Besides, it is counter productive to rob people of the ownership of public space. If you want the citizens to feel included, don’t be a bullying parent, it will only leave you with disobedient children. As somewhat of a consolation, the pop-up living room is back on the lake corner.

Complete with comfy chair, small table, picture frame and a cup of tea.

17 September 2014

Despite Copenhagen’s overall bicycle friendliness, we still have a few psycho-streets, in which cyclists are left to fight it out with buses, speeding cars and opening car doors. One of these is the charismatic Istedgade, on the westside Vesterbro. It used to be all gritty, with drug users, porn shops and prostitution, but they are now confined to the lower end of the street. It took the city planners a while to get around to redesign it, and they wisely invited the inhabitants and shop owners to contribute with ideas to the layout.

The result is not clear yet (stay tuned), except there won’t be designated bike lanes, but the sidewalks are supersized and it is looking good so far. It is a big construction mess, and being a busy street leading to the central train station, it affects a lot of commuters. Enter Copenhagen’s skinniest bike lane.

Catching cyclists at the entry point of construction hell, guiding them through an alternate route.

Just follow the thin, blue line. It will lead you to and from the central station.

14 September 2014

Today I came across hit-the-brakes-goodness (about time too, I don't know what is up with the long breaks here, ugh). It was an elaborately decorated Volkswagen bus, or as we call it here: folkevognsrugbrød, which translates into Volkswagen Rye Bread. The sweetest bus ever made, if you ask me. A girl passed it with her mother, asking in awe "what is this?" Oh, it's just a car, said the adult. "No, it isn't. It's a circus wagon!". Children are superior to adults most of the time, have you noticed?

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Greetings

We love Copenhagen so expect us to be biased. We hug trees, and we love street art, flea markets, old cars and new ideas. We go everywhere by bike, and nowhere without a camera. We worship freedom of speech and believe in democracy, but we have long since lost faith in our politicians. Me and my big mouth.